“I’m just going to be honest, I am angry at that swim,” was all it took for Brett Hawke to stop fans in their tracks. The former Olympian-turned-swimming coach was among the millions of people who watched in awe as Pan Zhanle obliterated the competition during the 100m freestyle in Paris. As if setting a simultaneous world and Olympic record wasn’t impressive enough, Zhanle beat the best in the world.

The 19-year-old made seasoned champions like Kyle Chalmer and David Popovici look like rookies, finishing the race in 46.40s. Australia’s Chalmers finished in second place but lagged an entire body’s length behind the Chinese swimmer. For the 49-year-old Brett Hawke, it looked a little too good to be true, so he leaned into the ongoing doping controversy.

“I’m upset right now because you don’t win 100m freestyle by a body length on that field. You just don’t do it. That’s not real… That’s not humanly possible, OK! So don’t sell it to me, don’t shove it down my throat. It’s not real,” said the swimming coach. Yet why did the former two-time World Championship silver medalist hint that Pan Zhanle was doping?

The swimming world was hit with a massive shock when the New York Times reported that CHINADA had sent 23 swimmers who filed doping tests ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Chinese anti-doping agency explained that the athletes failed because they unknowingly ate tainted food. However, the swimming community saw a red flag because WADA kept it under wraps.

Brett Hawke, like many others, including U.S. swimming icons Michale Phelps and Caeleb Dressel, has started doubting WADA. So, the former Olympian decided to trust his own three decades of experience and couldn’t accept that Pan Zhanle clocked 46.40 as a natural athlete. However, fans immediately countered the coach’s argument.

The swimming community argued in favor of Pan Zhanle

One long-time fan didn’t mince his words while addressing the veteran swimmer. “Just lost all respect for you actually… Acting like a child who’s toy got taken away,” commented the Instagram user. However, others presented a much more nuanced response to Hawke’s claims. “Are you serious? It’s disrespectful to accuse someone of something they’ve been and are being tested on,” commented an individual. Although the 49-year-old hinted at doping, the fan countered with information Hawke may not have been privy to. Unlike the Tokyo roster, Pan Zhanle made his Olympic debut in Paris. The 19-year-old also attested to the media that he has been tested 29 times since 2023.

So the fan argued that maybe it was Hawke who was thinking with a narrow mind. “It seems like you Australians, Americans, and some Europeans are a bit prejudiced when it’s not you who do the extraordinary. This swimmer trained hard and dedicated himself a lot. He’s been growing and specializing in this event. A little respect for the athlete and the event he did…” added the fan.

They made a solid argument, as the 100m specialist has yet to win gold over longer distances. Another Instagram user highlighted how the swimmer got tested more than his rivals. “Pan won. Tested more than the other 7 finalists. What if the other swimmer did 46.40 and won by body length? – do get angry as well? Be a sportsman for once,” stated the netizen.

“From May to July, I had 21 tests, no positive. Today we received a second test already,” Pan Zhanle himself told the press after his triumphant showing. However, others took a different route. “Man, you are such a clown it’s incredible. What about Dressel with the margin? What about Marchand… About 10+ other world records that were unbelievable!?” questioned the fan. Caleb Dressel and Team USA have dominated the relays so far. Similarly, Leon Marchand has shocked the world with speed, but mostly with endurance. Marchand has won gold in the 200m fly, 200m breaststroke, and 400m individual medley in Paris. However, the French superstar did so by showing superhuman stamina, dominating four races in one day.

Another swimming enthusiast also made comparisons. “Do you say the same about 2016 (Adam) Peaty? Or 2016 Dressel? When Peaty literally got the record down from 58 mid to 56.7 in a couple of years?” asked the fan. In 2019, Adam Peaty became the first man to swim the 100m breaststroke under 57s. He did so when no swimmer before him had even done it under 58s. While Brett Hawke is among the most experienced coaches in Australia and an Olympian himself, fans raised legitimate counterarguments. However, the coach has yet to respond to any of the backlash he has received. Who do you agree with? Let us know.